I. Introduction In modern machining, lathes are fundamental and critical processing equipment. Their precision and efficiency directly impact product quality and production profitability. With the continuous advancement of industrial technology, traditional sliding screws are no longer able to meet the demands of high-precision, high-efficiency machining. As an advanced transmission element, ball screws, due to their superior performance, have been widely used in lathes, significantly improving their overall performance. II. Basic Structure and Working Principle of Ball Screws A ball screw consists of a screw shaft, nut, balls, a circulation system, and a sealing device. Its operating principle is to convert rotational motion into linear motion through the rolling motion of the balls between the screw shaft and nut. Compared to traditional sliding screws, ball screws use rolling friction instead of sliding friction, a fundamental change that results in significant performance improvements. III. Specific Applications of Ball Screws in Lathes Feed Systems: Modern CNC lathes commonly use ball screws as the core transmission component of the feed system to control the precise movement of the tool. X- and Z-axis movement is typically achieved by servo motors driving ball screws. Spindle Stock Positioning: In high-precision lathes, ball screws are often used for axial positioning of the spindle stock to ensure accurate spindle position. Tailstock Movement: Some advanced lathe designs use ball screws to control tailstock movement, improving adjustment accuracy and ease of operation. Automatic Tool Changer: In the automatic tool changing system of a turning center, ball screws are responsible for precise toolholder position control. IV. Technical Advantages of Ball Screws in Lathe Applications High Transmission Efficiency: The transmission efficiency of ball screws can reach over 90%, far exceeding the 20-40% of sliding screws, significantly reducing energy loss. Excellent Positioning Accuracy: Through precision manufacturing and preload adjustment, ball screws achieve micron-level repeatability, meeting high-precision machining requirements. Long Service Life: Due to their rolling friction principle, wear is minimal, with a service life of up to 5-10 times that of sliding screws. Excellent High-Speed Performance: Suitable for high-speed feed motion. Modern high-speed lathes can achieve rapid traverse speeds of 30-60 m/min. High Axial Rigidity: Preloading can improve axial rigidity, reducing deformation and vibration during machining. V. Considerations for Ball Screw Applications in Lathes Protective Measures: Dust protection and sealing must be ensured to prevent chips and coolant from entering the ball screw circulation system. Lubrication Management: Although friction is low, regular lubrication is still required, generally using lithium-based grease or circulating oil. Installation Precision: During installation, ensure parallelism between the screw and the guide rail to avoid additional bending moments that may affect service life. Anti-Reverse Measures: Vertical installation requires a brake to prevent reverse rotation. Thermal Deformation Control: Heat generated during high-speed operation may affect accuracy, so thermal compensation measures should be considered. VI. Future Development Trends in Ball Screw Technology Higher Precision Levels: Research and development of nanometer-level precision ball screws is ongoing. Intelligent Functions: Integrated sensors enable condition monitoring and predictive maintenance. New Material Applications: Exploring new materials such as ceramic balls and composite nuts. High-Speed Development: DN values (screw diameter x rotational speed) continue to increase, meeting the demand for higher machining efficiency. Environmentally Friendly Design: Development of lubrication-free or self-lubricating technologies reduces environmental pollution. VII. Conclusion The application of ball screws in lathes has become an important support for modern high-precision and high-efficiency processing. Shuntai ball screws can be customized in different models. Welcome to consult us. We are online 24 hours a day to answer your questions.